SEM Microstructure of 3 micron Thick BaM Film

Jeffrey Young: Advanced Microwave Ferrite Research (AMFeR): Phase One

A team of University of Idaho researchers headed by Dr. Jeffrey L. Young of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department has received $1,250,000 from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) to conduct research on the growth and development of ferrite thick films for microwave communication applications.

The research project responds to a key Department of Defense focus area to develop next generation microwave communication technologies for a highly mobile, adaptable, and agile military. Currently, many microwave devices use bulk ferrite materials that are biased by heavy magnets. Resolution of the problem has been attempted several times, but has yet to be successful, and the University of Idaho is one the few universities across the country searching for an answer.

Researchers in Dr. Young's group expect to replace the bulk ferrite materials and magnets with thick ferrite films that will be integrated into a single silicon package, thus providing a light-weight, low-profile, and cost effective chip to be used in military environments. “It’s an extremely difficult problem to resolve,” said Dr. Young, but “we have the right team in place with the capability and experience to solve the problem.”

The multidisciplinary team is affiliated with the Microelectronics Research and Communications Institute (MRCI). It includes five faculty members—Drs. Y.-K. Hong, D. McIlroy, R. Wells and W.-J. Yeh—from the Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Physics, and Materials Science and Engineering. These UI researchers investigated a similar problem for ONR in fiscal years 2002 and 2003. Much of that ONR funding was used to establish key laboratory facilities. “Our lab is state-of-the-art; the best that can be acquired” said Dr. Young. Funds will be used to acquire additional lab equipment and to provide salaries for eight graduate and four undergraduate students working in five laboratories.

Dr. Young credits MRCI support for success in preliminary research, and in securing ONR funding. “Professor [Touraj] Assefi, Director of the MRCI, has provided us with exceptional resources and support to be able to do what we do” said Dr. Young. “His encouragement and assistance have been a real asset to our team.”

(Today@UIdaho)